What a BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN and down-to-earth story about two wonderful human beings and their BEAUTIFUL ETHICS that ALL people should emulate. Blessings to you both and your endeavors.
Thank you, Jill. Impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your history. Did something similar, though not on your scale, for a while in my life- very rewarding. Circumstances change, but it is always pleasant to reminisce about my “homesteading period”. My husband and I continue to live as independently and self-sufficiently as we can. Hats off to you and Robert.
Jill, Thank you so much for this article. I am also a child that came of age in the "back to the land" movement times. My girlfriend (now wife of 36 years) both of us city and suburban raised moved to a rundown property with a small house built in 1912 and a barn built in 1952. Apropos of your story, my father moved to the USA from Norway after WW2, to attend college, met my mother and married.
We raised chickens, large gardens, but made our livings with art fairs, which paid the bills, sometimes handily, sometime barely. I did side work in graphic art for advertising agencies, printers and some of my own clients. Rural Northern winters were cold and tough and art fairs didn't come around until Spring unless one wanted to travel to the South for the winter, which doesn't work with keeping the homestead running. Winter was also the time we needed to jury for the art fairs and pay show fees. I always said my investments were in art fair futures. But we loved the rural life and have no regrets. Now we have radically downsized and live on a couple acres. The property sale gave us most of the retirement grubstake we have. Not wealthy, but should carry us through if we are careful. It can be done with work and without much wealth.
Thanks for your essay. You may be interested in a book that a group of @ 2,500 of us crowd-funded a couple of years ago called Skills & Knowledge to Inherit Property (SKIP, as in skip the rat race) --it is a comprehensive list of the skills you need to have in order to run a farm/ranch according to permaculture/regenerative principles. Once you make your way through this list and create a portfolio demonstrating mastery, you can be put on a list to be matched with farmers/ranchers who are ready to retire but whose families are not interested in taking up the mantle & the farmers/ranchers still want their land to continue to be productive & well-stewarded. This matching service aims to bridge the gap between aging farmers and people motivated to work the land, but who are priced out of the market. More info at: www.permies.com.
What’s fascinating is how you’re involved with matters of global significance and yet both so down to earth, but this explains it. Literally, you spend time grubbing in the earth. And then one wonders, how the heck two people can do so much. Travel to all these conferences, maintain a farm and still find time to write about it; Really well written stories and often extensively researched information. I can see where you have to maintain an active lifestyle. and eat really clean. The main harvest seems to be a fountain of life force energy. Thank you so much for sharing these more personal details because I think you really are living a most amazing life and it’s such an honor to get to know you as the real people. The real Drs Malone
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I have been following Dr. Malone's musings on "Homesteading."
Here is my experience with homesteading. I too, grew up in an Agricultural Community in Palm, PA where my parents were both Pastors. We had a large Garten at the Parsonage, and went to the local farmers markets and orchards to buy what we could not produce. Fall harvests were busy times with canning in Ball Mason Jars and many an hour with the Foley food-mill for Apple sauce. Many an eyebrow was raised when we seasonally fertilised the Garten with Chicken manure, or the most pungent of all, Pig Manure.
In 1972, my mother (Reverend, Dr. Mom) had a calling to the Church Synod, and my parents found a small farm at the other end of the Valley. I think they paid $36.000 for the place. It was built in 1711. Overgrown acreage, no running water, and electric only to the kitchen. After lots of effort of family and friends, it was liveable. On the table were "Garden Way, "books from the Rodale Press, and various nursery and seed catalogues. We planted over 60 fruit trees, and had not only a 100 square foot Garten, but also a half acre of various berries, Rhubarb and asparagus that we sold to the local markets. One of the books I still have, is a worn copy of "Five acres and Independence." If only it was that simple.
While reading what Dr. Malone originally wrote about homesteading, something was nagging at me. "How, could a young couple even manage to afford what he was proposing?" Yes, I read his financial suggestions, but remain sceptical. In addition, I can imagine that many of his readers are located in urban environments. Even if they were able to "preserve the harvest" from other sources, where would they be able to have the room for a pantry? When I first moved to Germany almost 20 years ago, we lived in an apartment, and having a large pantry in a 90 square meter apartment with two adults and two children would have been very challenging.
We bought a house out "in the country" in 2007. It needed extensive renovations, but had a 2000 square meter piece of ground, albeit with Northern exposure. I, too, was rocked ´by the financial crisis in 2008. When Lehman Brothers took a dump, away went my life savings, so now I need to "work for a living."
We have bees, and harvest over 100 kilos of honey per year, make candles as well as sell the wax as a hobby. We also have 16 fruit trees, and my goal is to have 20. Additionally, we have access to local farms for produce, and yes, Dr. Malone, eggs from chickens that are set free in the fields. We also have room for a pantry, as well as an attic to dry herbs. So life is good.
We are not "homesteaders" by any means, but me, growing up with the Organic readings from the Rodale Press, and my wife as a Waldorf Kindergartenerin, well, we are ahead of the learning curve.
We are very fortunate to live where we do, and thankful for the area and the close community. I still wonder about how folks in the urban environment can benefit. Of course, managing their diet by eating wisely are things that are achievable, but as far as "homesteading?" There are many community gardens here in Germany, but the problem is the space for a pantry. Maybe in the "bicycle cellar."
Thank you so much for sharing, most importantly when you wrote: "Our children flourished, we flourished, but much of the bills were paid by our “real” careers.” That might put things in perspective for folks, but even more was the struggle after the hardships- and it took teamwork. If anyone can take anything away from all of this that it is impossible to do alone. Doing it as a team, you share the joys of success, as well as bear the hardships and setbacks together. May the joys outnumber the hardships.
All the best from Kürten Germany, in this blessed time of the Year,
thank you so much for sharing the adventure, life.. what you have done is an inspiration the way you described. I thought wow, wonder if this could be used in children’s book. Which could become a new dream for children. hopefully what you shared will may become realities for others. THANK YOU.... MERRY CHRISTMAS !
Good story about an inspirational family. Working in health and social care management and social research here in Scotland for over 30 years, I've also raised a family and done my best to teach myself and the kids how to be partly self-sufficient (up to a point, and nowhere near what you have achieved - but in a way, that isn't the point. Few of us have your amazing work ethic, energy, drive and seriously hard-core farming skill-set, and let alone the resources to buy up larger plots of land.
But in a way, we don't need to. Anyone can grow basil, parsley and chilis on a window-ledge, even if they live on the 20th floor of a high rise apartment block: its the thought that counts ;-) And for those lucky enough to have a bit of a garden, there is almost no limit to what can be grown for the pot even in a small space, especially using raised planters (we use old railway sleepers and half whisky barrels here).
Dr. Jill - you are inspiring! Thank you for the history-to-now. My great grandparents knew and practiced it well. Ensuing generations moved West and forgot all they knew. We are glad to see a movement back to the earth.
One of my relatives owns a “Bicentennial Farm” so designated by the Federal Government since it has been in the same family, since our nation’s founding 200 (now plus) years ago. It’s a dairy farm in upstate New York just outside Bridgewater, where my parents met and married after my father returned from World War II. My grandfather was a country doctor up that way, and served in World War I, and was my inspiration to become a physician, now retired. Your story, Jill, Brought back wonderful memories of my visits to that farm as a young boy.
Between you and your husband you inspire us all. I had a short time of living off the land and am so grateful for the wonderful memories that affords me. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us city dwellers. God Bless you both and Merry Christmas to all your family!
Wow, just wow. You two have enormous energy and grit, the latter trait being so important so you never give up. I read a book about grit (Angela Duckworth’s book called Grit, The Power of Passion and Perseverance) and you two are the models for those traits! To keep pursuing your higher education while learning about self sufficiency by farming and raising your own animals is beyond admirable. What a team you two are! I admire all you do and support all of your efforts in the name of freedom!
What a nice break from all the sorrow and grief of what's going on in Israel, our people's homeland. I'm about 10 years your senior and I guess more tired than you, but just hearing your voice revs up my sense of commitment again to do more--we're in a very cold place, but grow microgreens and also try to buy healthy meats and bake occasional sourdough--about to try spelt flour. We have no horses but live in the forest and can walk five minutes to visit horses at a stable, which the grandkids love. Way below your level, but just knowing you're around is like being friends with the Ingalls family. G-d bless you both in all your ways--we're sending you our love.
What a BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN and down-to-earth story about two wonderful human beings and their BEAUTIFUL ETHICS that ALL people should emulate. Blessings to you both and your endeavors.
...and not a solar panel in sight. Awesome!
Jill says: "Being responsible for one’s own actions in this modern world is an act of rebellion. Being a rebel is just how I am wired I guess."
I totally get that TRUTH. 😎
Thank you, Jill. Impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your history. Did something similar, though not on your scale, for a while in my life- very rewarding. Circumstances change, but it is always pleasant to reminisce about my “homesteading period”. My husband and I continue to live as independently and self-sufficiently as we can. Hats off to you and Robert.
Jill, Thank you so much for this article. I am also a child that came of age in the "back to the land" movement times. My girlfriend (now wife of 36 years) both of us city and suburban raised moved to a rundown property with a small house built in 1912 and a barn built in 1952. Apropos of your story, my father moved to the USA from Norway after WW2, to attend college, met my mother and married.
We raised chickens, large gardens, but made our livings with art fairs, which paid the bills, sometimes handily, sometime barely. I did side work in graphic art for advertising agencies, printers and some of my own clients. Rural Northern winters were cold and tough and art fairs didn't come around until Spring unless one wanted to travel to the South for the winter, which doesn't work with keeping the homestead running. Winter was also the time we needed to jury for the art fairs and pay show fees. I always said my investments were in art fair futures. But we loved the rural life and have no regrets. Now we have radically downsized and live on a couple acres. The property sale gave us most of the retirement grubstake we have. Not wealthy, but should carry us through if we are careful. It can be done with work and without much wealth.
Thanks for your essay. You may be interested in a book that a group of @ 2,500 of us crowd-funded a couple of years ago called Skills & Knowledge to Inherit Property (SKIP, as in skip the rat race) --it is a comprehensive list of the skills you need to have in order to run a farm/ranch according to permaculture/regenerative principles. Once you make your way through this list and create a portfolio demonstrating mastery, you can be put on a list to be matched with farmers/ranchers who are ready to retire but whose families are not interested in taking up the mantle & the farmers/ranchers still want their land to continue to be productive & well-stewarded. This matching service aims to bridge the gap between aging farmers and people motivated to work the land, but who are priced out of the market. More info at: www.permies.com.
What’s fascinating is how you’re involved with matters of global significance and yet both so down to earth, but this explains it. Literally, you spend time grubbing in the earth. And then one wonders, how the heck two people can do so much. Travel to all these conferences, maintain a farm and still find time to write about it; Really well written stories and often extensively researched information. I can see where you have to maintain an active lifestyle. and eat really clean. The main harvest seems to be a fountain of life force energy. Thank you so much for sharing these more personal details because I think you really are living a most amazing life and it’s such an honor to get to know you as the real people. The real Drs Malone
Hello from Kürten, Germany.
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I have been following Dr. Malone's musings on "Homesteading."
Here is my experience with homesteading. I too, grew up in an Agricultural Community in Palm, PA where my parents were both Pastors. We had a large Garten at the Parsonage, and went to the local farmers markets and orchards to buy what we could not produce. Fall harvests were busy times with canning in Ball Mason Jars and many an hour with the Foley food-mill for Apple sauce. Many an eyebrow was raised when we seasonally fertilised the Garten with Chicken manure, or the most pungent of all, Pig Manure.
In 1972, my mother (Reverend, Dr. Mom) had a calling to the Church Synod, and my parents found a small farm at the other end of the Valley. I think they paid $36.000 for the place. It was built in 1711. Overgrown acreage, no running water, and electric only to the kitchen. After lots of effort of family and friends, it was liveable. On the table were "Garden Way, "books from the Rodale Press, and various nursery and seed catalogues. We planted over 60 fruit trees, and had not only a 100 square foot Garten, but also a half acre of various berries, Rhubarb and asparagus that we sold to the local markets. One of the books I still have, is a worn copy of "Five acres and Independence." If only it was that simple.
While reading what Dr. Malone originally wrote about homesteading, something was nagging at me. "How, could a young couple even manage to afford what he was proposing?" Yes, I read his financial suggestions, but remain sceptical. In addition, I can imagine that many of his readers are located in urban environments. Even if they were able to "preserve the harvest" from other sources, where would they be able to have the room for a pantry? When I first moved to Germany almost 20 years ago, we lived in an apartment, and having a large pantry in a 90 square meter apartment with two adults and two children would have been very challenging.
We bought a house out "in the country" in 2007. It needed extensive renovations, but had a 2000 square meter piece of ground, albeit with Northern exposure. I, too, was rocked ´by the financial crisis in 2008. When Lehman Brothers took a dump, away went my life savings, so now I need to "work for a living."
We have bees, and harvest over 100 kilos of honey per year, make candles as well as sell the wax as a hobby. We also have 16 fruit trees, and my goal is to have 20. Additionally, we have access to local farms for produce, and yes, Dr. Malone, eggs from chickens that are set free in the fields. We also have room for a pantry, as well as an attic to dry herbs. So life is good.
We are not "homesteaders" by any means, but me, growing up with the Organic readings from the Rodale Press, and my wife as a Waldorf Kindergartenerin, well, we are ahead of the learning curve.
We are very fortunate to live where we do, and thankful for the area and the close community. I still wonder about how folks in the urban environment can benefit. Of course, managing their diet by eating wisely are things that are achievable, but as far as "homesteading?" There are many community gardens here in Germany, but the problem is the space for a pantry. Maybe in the "bicycle cellar."
Thank you so much for sharing, most importantly when you wrote: "Our children flourished, we flourished, but much of the bills were paid by our “real” careers.” That might put things in perspective for folks, but even more was the struggle after the hardships- and it took teamwork. If anyone can take anything away from all of this that it is impossible to do alone. Doing it as a team, you share the joys of success, as well as bear the hardships and setbacks together. May the joys outnumber the hardships.
All the best from Kürten Germany, in this blessed time of the Year,
Jonathan Kriebel.
thank you so much for sharing the adventure, life.. what you have done is an inspiration the way you described. I thought wow, wonder if this could be used in children’s book. Which could become a new dream for children. hopefully what you shared will may become realities for others. THANK YOU.... MERRY CHRISTMAS !
Good story about an inspirational family. Working in health and social care management and social research here in Scotland for over 30 years, I've also raised a family and done my best to teach myself and the kids how to be partly self-sufficient (up to a point, and nowhere near what you have achieved - but in a way, that isn't the point. Few of us have your amazing work ethic, energy, drive and seriously hard-core farming skill-set, and let alone the resources to buy up larger plots of land.
But in a way, we don't need to. Anyone can grow basil, parsley and chilis on a window-ledge, even if they live on the 20th floor of a high rise apartment block: its the thought that counts ;-) And for those lucky enough to have a bit of a garden, there is almost no limit to what can be grown for the pot even in a small space, especially using raised planters (we use old railway sleepers and half whisky barrels here).
Dr. Jill - you are inspiring! Thank you for the history-to-now. My great grandparents knew and practiced it well. Ensuing generations moved West and forgot all they knew. We are glad to see a movement back to the earth.
One of my relatives owns a “Bicentennial Farm” so designated by the Federal Government since it has been in the same family, since our nation’s founding 200 (now plus) years ago. It’s a dairy farm in upstate New York just outside Bridgewater, where my parents met and married after my father returned from World War II. My grandfather was a country doctor up that way, and served in World War I, and was my inspiration to become a physician, now retired. Your story, Jill, Brought back wonderful memories of my visits to that farm as a young boy.
Between you and your husband you inspire us all. I had a short time of living off the land and am so grateful for the wonderful memories that affords me. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us city dwellers. God Bless you both and Merry Christmas to all your family!
Agree. Unfortunately, the iPhone has become human's best pal!
Wow, just wow. You two have enormous energy and grit, the latter trait being so important so you never give up. I read a book about grit (Angela Duckworth’s book called Grit, The Power of Passion and Perseverance) and you two are the models for those traits! To keep pursuing your higher education while learning about self sufficiency by farming and raising your own animals is beyond admirable. What a team you two are! I admire all you do and support all of your efforts in the name of freedom!
What a nice break from all the sorrow and grief of what's going on in Israel, our people's homeland. I'm about 10 years your senior and I guess more tired than you, but just hearing your voice revs up my sense of commitment again to do more--we're in a very cold place, but grow microgreens and also try to buy healthy meats and bake occasional sourdough--about to try spelt flour. We have no horses but live in the forest and can walk five minutes to visit horses at a stable, which the grandkids love. Way below your level, but just knowing you're around is like being friends with the Ingalls family. G-d bless you both in all your ways--we're sending you our love.